A Chat in the Garden with Monique AJ Smith

Shani Bowens is an emerging leader in collegiate athletics with a passion for basketball operations, student-athlete development, and program administration. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Bowens earned her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, with minors in Marketing and Sport Sales, from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in August 2024. During her time at NIU, she served as Head Manager...

This is a replay from Season 2. Dr. Tiese Roxbury, former NCAA Executive and current Executive Director of Student Success & Retention for Bennett College, joined A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smit...

Jenae Rogers is a Partnership Marketing Activation Coordinator for the Memphis Grizzlies, specializing in the execution of integrated brand partnerships across digital, in-arena, and community platforms. She leads the coordination and delivery of partnership activations, ensuring each campaign aligns with strategic objectives and delivers measurable value. In her role, she manages campaign impleme...

LaKendra Phillips – Footwear Designer I Ole Miss Alum I Former Collegiate Women’s Basketball Player I Sister in Sole LaKendra Phillips is a rising talent in the world of footwear design, known for her unwavering dedication, creative spirit, and tireless drive to break boundaries in a competitive industry. With a deep passion for women's basketball footwear and a commitment to innovation, LaKendra...

This episode is a replay from Season 4 (Oct 2017). Dr. Monique Carroll was Associate AD for External Operations at Chicago State University at the time of this interview. She is currently Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Chicago State. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiat...

This episode is a replay from Season 8 (April 2022). Toni-Ann Derby was Assistant Director, Championships, Sport Operations and Governance for the West Coast Conference when this interview aired. She is currently Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Chief of Staff at Austin Peay State University. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her ad...

Ashley Danielle is the Founder and Executive Director of ABC Sports Foundation, which provides nonprofit creation, program management, branding, PR, and event logistics services to high school, collegiate and current and former professional athletes, supporting them in making an impact in their communities.  She is also the newest member of the HPSS Department as an Associate Professor and a gradu...

This episode is a replay. Dr. Jolisa Williams, former Asst. AD of Media Relations and current Interim VP of Athletics & Recreation for Bowie State University, joins A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance B...

Vanessa Hale is a Certified Athletic Trainer who has been certified since July 2020 and is in her fifth year as a clinician. Originally from Los Angeles California, Vanessa’s interest in athletic training began in high school. She attended Culver City High School all four years and graduated in June 2012. Vanessa started her tenure as a student aide her sophomore year working with football and tra...

This episode is a replay from Season 2. At the time of the interview, Angie Torain was Deputy AD at Immaculate Word. She went on to become the Athletics Director at University of Chicago. She is currently the Senior Business Development Executive for Teamworks. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiativ...

This episode is a replay from Season 3. Dr. Melody Webb, Director of Athletics for Norfolk State University, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Sp...

This episode is a replay from Season 3 (April 2017). Neema Connor, Former UMES Athletics Administrator and Current MEAC Associate Commissioner, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Signific...

Mercedes Erhahon Vice President of Sales of the RESWealthy Team and a nationally recognized Real Estate Advisor known for guiding high-performing professionals—including athletes, entertainers, and business leaders—through strategic real estate decisions that support long-term stability, ownership, and legacy. She is recognized as one of the top 1% of Black real estate agents in the country and se...

This episode is a replay from Season 2. Dr. Adrianne Swinney, former Athletic Administrator for UConn, now Assistant Professor at Jackson State University, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, whe...

Kiara Wyche is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, creative visionary, and the CEO and Founder of Kiara Kreates—a brand built on passion, resilience, and meaningful connection. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, having overcome personal hardships, including homelessness and life transitions, while rising into leadership and entrepreneurship with unwavering faith and determination. Fueled by a...

Sheri Riley is a sought-after global speaker, Founder and President of Exponential Living and serves on the Advisory Board for the Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA). She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement award. She is a founding member of John Maxwell’s global Maxwell Leadership Certified Team and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, I...

Danielle N. Johnson, known as “Coach Danielle,” is a leadership strategist, author, speaker, and former women’s basketball coach and athletic administrator with over three decades of experience in education and athletics. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, and currently based in Dallas, Texas, she has served in high-level coaching, athletic administration, and educational leadership roles. As the...

This episode is a replay from season 3. Alexxis Hutchinson, Owner of Simply Sporty Chic, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio...

Dr. Mercedes Himmons begins her third with the Southern Sports Medicine staff in the 2025-26 academic year. She will serve as the primary contact for gymnastics, volleyball and women's track & field.  Prior to arriving at Southern, Dr. Mercedes was an assistant athletic trainer at California University of PA (Cal U). She provided healthcare to the women’s basketball and women’s soccer teams. ...

Rolynda Contee is a pillar of the Baltimore sports community, a Hall of Fame athlete, and a trailblazing administrator. Her commitment to the youth of Baltimore began in 2002, when she started her tenure as a Physical Education teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS). For over two decades, she has been a consistent force in the lives of thousands of students, fostering a culture of healt...

Tabitha Monroe joined Claflin University in February 2026 as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics, bringing extensive experience in athletic administration, compliance, and operational leadership. She plays a key role in advancing Claflin’s athletics programs while supporting institutional compliance and the holistic development of student-athletes. Monroe most recently served as Associate A...

This episode is a replay from Season 1. At the time of this interview, Danielle was Associate Commissioner of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She is currently Commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden...

Born and raised in Jackson, MS, Sonja Stamps' passion for sports ignited at the tender age of five, influenced by her close bond with her father and a few years later, for her admiration for pioneering sports broadcaster Jayne Kennedy. As a self-proclaimed "daddy's girl," Sonja was inspired by Jayne's groundbreaking achievements as one of the first female sports broadcasters and the first African...

Courtney Washington was named Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at Chicago State University on November 1, 2024. She comes to Chicago State after serving as the Associate Athletic Director of Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator at Shaw University where she oversaw compliance operations, guiding coaches and staff in navigating NCAA, CIAA, and institutional regulations. She is an expe...

Dr. Fachaitte (fuh-shay) Kinslow is a senior athletics administrator, compliance leader, and former counselor with more than two decades of experience advancing equity, academic success, and holistic development for student-athletes. Raised on a multigenerational farm in Dover, Oklahoma, she brings a values-driven, service-oriented leadership approach shaped by family legacy, education, and faith....